Residence Inn By Marriott Tampa Downtown

The girls at the desk were so sweet, checking in with us each time and making sure we were happy. Rooms were clean, and breakfast was hot. You can walk everywhere from this spot right in the middle of the city, though of course there’s car noise. It worked perfectly for gaspiralla weekend. I’d definitely recommend it.

It may not be the fanciest hotel, but they get the important things right. The whole staff, including the cleaning crew, were pleasant. Rick and Katina helped us check in and out and were both friendly and accommodating. I was in Tampa because my wife had to go to the hospital, and while she was there I could bring her over in the morning and arrange a later checkout so she could catch up on sleep.

We lost three hours trying to make this work, then canceled and moved to a Sheraton nearby. They charged for parking and expected us to park a block away at the top of their private garage, for $25-40 a night. The front desk had a line of five families when we went to get a key at the Courtyard Marriott across the way. Staff were very nice and tried to help, but couldn’t fix the problems. Check-in was quick, and the valet was pleasant. Our first room smelled of perfume and sweat, including all the sheets and bedding, and I found a tiny popcorn shell under the covers. They offered another room. As soon as I opened the door on a higher floor, strong cigarette smoke hit me, and I couldn’t get past the threshold. The third room was smaller and had the same dirty-laundry smell in the bedding. There was also a jet-engine noise by the bed, and the air-conditioning handler looked like it had recently been serviced, with new bolts on the cover. I’d normally give a hotel four or five stars if it tried to meet high standards, but this privately owned property using the Marriott name didn’t meet them. Hopefully they fix these issues.

Tianna LaRosa, the Director of Sales, made planning our team’s stay smooth from start to finish. She was responsive, professional, and genuinely hospitable. The staff also made sure everything was comfortable and well coordinated for our group. Our rooms were clean and spacious, suited to an extended stay, and the downtown location was convenient. The relaxed atmosphere helped our team feel looked after. We’d be glad to return to Residence Inn Tampa Downtown.